Submitted by: Dan Rich

Robert P. Bollman Sr.

Jan. 19, 1930 - July 13, 2001

South Bend Tribune 7/15/2001

The Reverend Robert Pleasonton Bollman Sr., 71, of South Bend, Ind., died at 6:40 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2001. He died in his home from cancer. Robert was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Jan. 19, 1930, to the late Theodore and Elizabeth Bollman. He was the first of three children, and is survived by his sister, Vinita (George) Allen of Henrietta, N.Y., and brother, Ted (Becky) Bollman of Morristown, Tenn. Robert was raised in Buffalo where he attended Lafayette High School. Following his graduation he entered the United Stated Army where he was trained as a medical technician. After his discharge from the Army he attended the University of Buffalo from which he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1958. He also received a master's of divinity from Nashotah House Seminary, Nashotah, Wis., and a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Buffalo.

In 1962, Robert was ordained a priest of the Episcopal Church at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis, Ind. He was a tertiary of the Order of St. Francis since 1962. He served as a missionary to the aborigines of Yarrbah, Australia, from 1964-66. He served as assistant priest at St. Phillip's, Buffalo, N.Y.; Christ Church, LaCrosse, Wis.; and director of religious education at Trinity Church, Fort Wayne, Ind. He also taught philosophy at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, and St. Francis College, Fort Wayne. In 1971, Robert founded and directed Brotherhood House (a home for pre-delinquent teens) in Fort Wayne.

On Jan. 21, 1972, he married Charlene Kay Johnson of Black River Falls, Wis. Together they had four children, John (who preceded him in death), Robert Jr., Hilary and Reid. The Bollmans have lived in South Bend for more than 15 years. Father Bollman was an active member of Saint Michael's and All Angel's Episcopal Church, the Guild of All Saints, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, and was priest associate of the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham. Along with his wife, he was co-felicitator of the ALS support group. He also worked as an insurance salesman, a greeter at Meijer, and as a substitute teacher. He was an avid Notre Dame football and Buffalo Bills fan. Robert also loved to read and travel.